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Feature
- 14 hours ago
Erik ten Hag misses out on top coaching job to Cesc Fabregas
Tom Weber
- 11 May 2025 07:00 BST
- 5 min read
News
Cesc Fabregas has overtaken Erik ten Hag as the favourite to succeed Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, according to German media.
The 2024 Bundesliga champions are scouring the coaching market following Alonso's announcement that he is leaving the club at the end of the season. The Spaniard will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, forcing Leverkusen to look for a suitable replacement.
Last week, it appeared as though Erik ten Hag would replace Alonso, with the Dutchman reportedly emerging as the top option after a positive initial approach.
Ten Hag has been out of work since getting sacked by Man Utd in October and has made no secret of the fact that he is keen to secure a new coaching gig this summer.
Unfortunately for the ex-Red Devils boss, a lot can change in a week, and he is no longer the favourite for the Leverkusen job.
Fabregas to leave Como?
According to Sky Germany, Leverkusen are now pushing hard for Como head coach Cesc Fabregas. Contrary to some reports, the Bundesliga side did not receive an immediate rejection from the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder.
This response emboldened CEO Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rolfes to really step up their pursuit of Fabregas, who previously dismissed any and all approaches in favour of remaining at Como, a club he partially owns.
Reporter Florian Plettenberg states that a potential departure from the Serie A side is now becoming 'increasingly likely.' His players and agents connected with the club are receiving 'signals' that he could be on his way out.
Fabregas, who has usually been quite emphatic when dismissing speculation, struck a less assertive tone after Como beat Cagliari on Saturday. “I want to leave an important legacy because whoever comes after me will find something good," he began.
"I am very calm. If you are good today, do the same thing in the next match and lose, you are no longer good. But my message has never changed. Whatever happens, I will thank this group, I am very proud of what we are seeing in Como.”
It remains to be seen if Fabregas will end up at Leverkusen or on the other side of Germany, where RB Leipzig are also credited with a concrete interest. Oliver Glasner is also an option, whereas Ten Hag has been rejected by Head of Global Soccer Jurgen Klopp as unsuited to Red Bull's style.
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